The sign can be used for a number of purposes (to display weather forecasts from an [[w:RSS|RSS]] feed, to display news feeds as a news ticker) As a proof of concept the following script uses the sign to display a stock ticker that gets it's data from [[w:Yahoo!|Yahoo!]] it then colors the prices

The sign can be used for a number of purposes (to display weather forecasts from an [[w:RSS|RSS]] feed, to display news feeds as a news ticker) As a proof of concept the following script uses the sign to display a stock ticker that gets it's data from [[w:Yahoo!|Yahoo!]] it then colors the prices

Line 292:

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<font color=red>RED</font> if they are negative/down

<font color=red>RED</font> if they are negative/down

−

for the day.

+

for the day

+

{| width = "690px" cellpadding="10px" cellspacing="10px"

+

|-valign=top

||

||

Here it is in action: (clip from a cell phone so quality is somewhat poor)

Here it is in action: (clip from a cell phone so quality is somewhat poor)

<youtube>ojkgEQLNVG0</youtube>

<youtube>ojkgEQLNVG0</youtube>

+

||

+

This clip shows it fetching weather Stock quotes and news. This one happens to be running on a [[w:Plug_computer|Seagate Dockstar]]

+

<youtube>T7l2s0NrXqA</youtube>

|}

|}

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install curl and lynx so that they can be used later to get content from the web.

install curl and lynx so that they can be used later to get content from the web.

Interface Sign to Serial Port Interface

A standard 6 wire telephone cable meant for a two line phone is used (a 4 wire one will not work) Plug one end into the sign, and one end into the Quick port RJ-12 Jack. Wire the jack into the serial port board as such[3]

MODE TAG and COLORTAG

The key parts of this are the MODE TAG and COLORTAG, there is full documentation available for this[5]but here are the pertinent parts.

MODE TAG

a

Message travels right to left.

b

Message remains stationary.

c

Message remains stationary and flashes

d

Auto. Randomly picks an effect for each part of the message, as opposed to the message as a whole.

e

Previous message is pushed up by a new message.

f

Previous message is pushed down by a new message.

g

Previous message is pushed left by a new message.

h

Previous message is pushed right by a new message.

i

New message is wiped over the previous message from bottom to top.

j

New message is wiped over the previous message from top to bottom.

k

New message is wiped over the previous message from right to left.

l

New message is wiped over the previous message from left to right.

m

New message line pushes the bottom line to the top line if 2-line sign.

n

This is followed by a Special Specifier ASCII character which defines one of the Special Modes.

o

Various Modes are called upon to display the message automatically.

p

Previous message is pushed toward the center of the display by the new message.

q

Previous message is pushed outward from the center by the new message.

r

New message is wiped over the previous message in an inward motion.

s

New message is wiped over the previous message in an outward motion.

t

COMPRESSED - Message travels right to left. Characters are approximately one half their normal width. (Only available on certain sign models.)

u

Message flies apart from the center (Alpha 3.0 protocol).

v

Wipe in a clockwise direction (Alpha 3.0 protocol).

COLORTAG

1

Red

2

Green

3

Amber

4

Dim red

5

Dim green

6

Brown

7

Orange

8

Yellow

9

Rainbow 1

A

Rainbow 2

B

Color mix

C

Autocolor

Ticker (Stock, Weather, News)

The sign can be used for a number of purposes (to display weather forecasts from an RSS feed, to display news feeds as a news ticker) As a proof of concept the following script uses the sign to display a stock ticker that gets it's data from Yahoo! it then colors the prices

GREEN if they are positive/up

and

RED if they are negative/down

for the day

Here it is in action: (clip from a cell phone so quality is somewhat poor)

This clip shows it fetching weather Stock quotes and news. This one happens to be running on a Seagate Dockstar